Project Description:
Optimizing Childrens Mental Health: A Rural Public Health Approach
Little research has been done in relationship to professional development for child care providers in non-school setting and in rural areas. In general, professional development efforts have traditionally taken the forms: (a) formal education; (b) credentialing; (c) specialized, on-the-job in-service training; and (d) coaching and/or consultative interactions; (Zaslow& Martinez-Beck, 2006). Most early childhood educator training however is conducted in one shot trainings via conferences or with online modules with little follow-up or opportunities for educators to interact, assimilate or practice concepts or strategies. Research indicates that teacher professional development that is ongoing is more effective than one-time workshops (Wei et al., 2009). Furthermore, the amount (time) of training was associated with better student outcomes (Yoon et al., 2007). Research has also shown that given teachers varied needs, one-size fits- all professional development programs will likely not be enough (Ruhland and Bremer, 2002). Professional development programs may be more effective if they address the range of problem-solving strategies and styles of teachers (Ruhland and Bremer, 2002). Additionally, professional development is truly beneficial when it is ongoing, designed with opportunities for participant input, fosters critical reflection and meaningful collaboration, and allows for follow-up and support that is sustained over the long term (Brown, 2002).
To address this need, the Optimizing Childrens Mental Health: A Rural Public Health Approach , a USDA funded project, develop/adapted 8 hours of training designed to serve the dual purpose of increasing the participants knowledge and self-efficacy in implementing and sustaining a system wide Positive Behavior approach model within rural childcare centers. The project utilized two methods of delivery - face-to-face and online. The R-PBS Project is a transformational Extension project that proactively assists rural communities in providing safe, nurturing childcare environments that build resilient children and helps to create thriving rural communities now and in the future.
The objectives of the project are to:
Increase childcare provider awareness and knowledge regarding early childhood mental health from a public health approach.
Increase childcare providers awareness, and knowledge regarding Positive Behavior Support concepts, strategies, and environments
Decrease Negative Behavior incidences for children at participating child care centers, and
Improve early childhood educators self-efficacy in supporting childrens social-emotional development
The project provides training, support and consultation to rural childcare providers to promote childrens positive mental health, assess challenging behaviors, and support the enactment of positive behavior strategies that effectively address child behavior problems.
There are three training modules. The 1st training module is for Childcare Center Directors only and is two hours long. The 2nd and 3rd modules are for all Center Directors and staff. The 2nd and 3rd modules are four and 2 hours long respectively. Individuals reviewing these modules can start and stop during the module as needed. Each module has a pre and posttest format. Following the posttest, a certificate will be issued for continuing education credit.
Module content was the same through each method of delivery. Face-to-face modules were delivered at a 3 Rural Childcare Centers and online modules were delivered to 2 Rural Child
*PRODUCTS*
Optimizing Childrens Mental Health: Directors Training
Module 1 & 2
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The project developed/adapted 8 hours of training designed to serve the dual purpose of increasing the participants knowledge and self-efficacy connected to Positive Behavior Supports for childcare classroom staff for lowering served childrens behavior issues and increasing the childrens social emotional competence. The instructional modules included the training on the topics of Leadership Strategies for Supporting Childrens Social and Emotional Development and Addressing Challenging Behavior, Promoting Children's Success: Building Relationships and Creating Supportive Environments, Social-Emotional Teaching Strategies, Individualized Intensive Interventions: Determining the Meaning of Challenging Behavior & Individualized Intensive Interventions: Developing a Behavior Support Plan The project utilized two methods of delivery face-to-face and online. The training contents were the same through each method of delivery.
*Childcare Center Demographics*
Face-to-face and online modules were delivered at a five licensed rural childcare centers in rural counties serving 400 plus children ages 0-10. (Grimes, Madison, Walker, Cameron, Lee). All but one of the childcare centers chosen served large numbers of children connected to underserved populations based on their report of the number of children and families supported by government compensation for childcare (subsidized child care program).
1) The Apple Tree-Cameron
Pre-School & Day Care offers the following: - Full-Time Licensed Child Care For Children 6 Weeks to 12 Years - Individual attention, and High Reach Curriculum in each of our classrooms. - All Teachers & Staff Trained In CPR & First Aid, Plus 15 Hours in Child Development Each Year - Assistance with child care fees: Texas Child Care Services - 1-800-774-3009 - Licensed By Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
License Number: 821915
Capacity: 99
Age Range: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Days of Operation: Monday - Friday
Normal Open Hours: 07:30 AM-05:30 PM
Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: Yes
2) YMCA-Huntsville
Description: makes accessible the support & opportunities that empower people & communities to learn, grow & thrive. With a focus on youth development, healthy living & social responsibility, the Y nurtures the potential of every youth & teen, improves the nation's he. License Number: 1378306
Capacity: 68
Age Range: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten
Days of Operation: Monday - Friday
Normal Open Hours: 07:30 AM-06:00 PM
Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: Yes
Type of Care: Child Care Program
Additional Information: Initial License Date: 2/29/2012.
3) ABC Day School
Description: a place where kids can learn, explore, and create. We strive to create a safe learning environment for children of ages.
License Number: 1350746
Capacity: 70
Age Range: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Days of Operation: Monday - Friday
Normal Open Hours: Monday thru Friday 7:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.
Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: No
Type of Care: Child Care Program
Additional Information: Initial License Date: 2/14/2012.
4) The Treehouse Academy
Description: We are an academically challenging day care for children 3 months to 12 years in age. We offer social, emotional, physical, and intellectual learning for all ages. Treehouse Academy is not a school, and its not just a babysitting service either. We help augment your childs learning in the classroom while you have to be away. The Treehouse Academy offers school-like programs as well as extracurricular activities to help guide children in all aspects of their life.
License Number: 1482007
Capacity: 152
Age Range: Infant, Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Days of Operation: Monday - Friday
Normal Open Hours: 7:30am-6pm
Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: Yes
Type of Care: Child Care Program
Additional Information: Initial License Date: 7/24/2012.
5) Treasured Times
Description:
Treasured Times offers a professionally developed pre-school curriculum that is comprehensive, utilizes a play-based approach and nurtures the whole child. Standards align with the NAEYC Guidelines for curriculum content. Your child will develop socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually through a combination of play, routine, and hands-on activities. Treasured Times Childcare is excited to help your child build a foundation for lifelong learning.
License Number: 1501896
Capacity: 46
Age Range: Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten, School
Rate Range: $95/week
Achievement and/or Accreditations: Texas School Ready! Certified
Days of Operation: Monday - Friday
Normal Open Hours: Mon - Fri: 7AM - 5:30PM
Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program: Yes
Type of Care: Pre-School
Transportation: Field Trips, To/From School
Additional Information: Initial License Date: 01/10/2011
OUTCOMES
TRAINING
A total of eighty-one childcare staff and directors were trained. Thirty-nine childcare staff were trained face-to-face and forty-one childecare staff members were trained online.
EVALUATION :
The Pre-SET was utilized as a pre/post measure of the childcare centers abilities to implement positive behavior support system wide. Centers were assessed at the classroom and system wide levels. Classrooms were assessed on items regarding the documentation of classroom rules (e.g., a rules poster hanging in the classroom), as well as behavioral expectations taught, which included items related to teachers' planning and execution of lessons to teach expectations (e.g., a lesson plan, children able to state the rules when interviewed).
Systems-level practices which included items related to taking data on children's problem behavior, and items related to support providing a team focused approach on addressing PBS goals through-out the year in staff meetings and for individual teachers. FCS Extension Agents were utilized to administer and collect the data for the Pre-SET to achieve non-prejudice assessment results.
Prior to training and implementation of the PBS strategies, classroom teachers began to utilizing the behavior checklist to establish behavior patterns and incidences baselines. With the implementation of phase one of the PBS training, behavior incidences were reduced significantly overtime (8.3 incidences a day to 2.3 incidences a day overall) in all but one childcare center. Childcare workers self-efficacy scores increased significantly as well.
